Reconfigurable fireplace system and method

ABSTRACT

A reconfigurable fireplace system and method for facilitating changes in appearance of a fireplace are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary reconfigurable fireplace system comprises a fireplace having a plurality of design zones that are readily configurable for changes in appearance, with any one or more of the design zones being capable of design changes comprising one or more similar and/or different accents or design elements. As a result, a user can suitably choose a particular design appearance for the fireplace, and then if desired, alter or modify that appearance in numerous ways without having to replace the complete fireplace. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary fireplace comprises at least three zones, with each such zone being configured with one or more accents or design elements to alter the design appearance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/655,587, entitled “RECONFIGURABLE FIREPLACE SYSTEM AND METHOD” and filed on Feb. 22, 2005.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to fireplace systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to reconfigurable fireplace system and method for facilitating changes in appearance of a fireplace.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional fireplace designs come in many styles and options, including various predetermined colors and sizes. Purchasers of such fireplaces will typically sort through the various designs and options and select a particular fireplace that best suits their current décor and style. However, as styles change or become outdated, the purchaser is limited to the purchased design without recourse to change the style and appearance unless a replacement fireplace is purchased. Further, while many such styles and options do exist, a purchaser's ability to customize with a desired personal touch is somewhat limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a reconfigurable fireplace system and method for facilitating changes in appearance of a fireplace are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary reconfigurable fireplace system comprises a fireplace having a plurality of design zones that are readily configurable for changes in appearance, with any one or more of the design zones being capable of design or appearance changes through use of one or more similar and/or different accents or design elements. As a result, a user can suitably choose a particular design appearance for the fireplace, and then if desired, alter or modify that appearance in numerous ways without having to replace the complete fireplace.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary fireplace comprises at least three zones, such as an upper front zone and two side front zones. Each such zone can be configured with one or more accents or design elements to alter the design appearance. Such accents and design elements can comprise a nearly infinite number of designs. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, one or more mounting components can be suitably configured with the at least three zones to further alter or modify the design appearance. Moreover, such a mounting component can be configured in additional zones, such as top corner zones, or any other zone or region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in conjunction with the appended drawing figures in which like numerals denote like elements and:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary reconfigurable fireplace system in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate front, side and top views of an exemplary reconfigurable fireplace system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 3-30 illustrate exemplary reconfigurable fireplace systems in accordance with additional exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be described herein in terms of various functional components. It should be appreciated that such functional components may be realized by any number of structural and hardware components configured for operation with electrical, mechanical, gravitational, magnetic, and other actuating forces configured to perform the specified functions. In addition, the present invention may be practiced in any number of heating system contexts and that the fireplace systems described herein are merely a few of the exemplary applications for the invention.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a reconfigurable fireplace system and method for facilitating changes in appearance of a fireplace are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary reconfigurable fireplace system comprises a fireplace having a plurality of design zones that are readily configurable for changes in appearance, with any one or more of the design zones being capable of design or appearance changes comprising one or more similar and/or different accents or design elements. As a result, a user can suitably choose a particular design appearance for the fireplace, and then if desired, alter or modify that appearance in numerous ways without having to replace the complete fireplace.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, an exemplary fireplace 100 comprises at least three zones, such as an upper zone 102 and two side zones 108 and 110. Each such zone can be configured with one or more accents or design elements 122 to alter the design appearance through removable attachment to a selected zone. For example, a single zone can be configured with one accent/element 122, or any plurality of accents/elements 122. Such accents or design elements 122 can comprise a nearly infinite number of designs as illustrated herein. To facilitate the reconfigurable appearances, any such zones suitably comprise at least one display surface configured for mounting and/or display of one or more accents or design elements 122. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, such display surfaces comprise substantially flat regions that provide from approximately 2″ by 2″ surfaces upwards of 8″ by 8″ or more of surface area, in any shape or configuration.

In addition to zone 102, 108 and 110, an exemplary fireplace system can also be configured zones in other regions, such as corner zones 104 and 106. Moreover, any of zones 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 can also further comprise subset zones, such as top left corner zones 112 and 116, front left corner zones 114 and 118, top center zone 120, or any other number of frontal, top, and/or side zone regions for reconfigurable accents and design elements 122. Thus, an exemplary embodiment can comprise, for example, three zones 102, 108 and 110, five zones 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110, a single zone 120, or in accordance with various other embodiments, any number of fewer or additional zones can also be suitably included depending upon the size and/or configuration of fireplace system 100.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, one or more zones can also be configured with one or more additional mounting components 124 configured for adjustable placement within such one or more zones, as well as for mounting or displaying one or more accents or design elements 122 to alter the design appearance of mounting component 124. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, one or more mounting components can comprise keystones 324 that can be suitably configured with at least one zone, e.g., zone 120, to further alter or modify the design appearance. Moreover, such a keystone can be configured in additional zones, such as top corner zones, or any other zone within fireplace system 100.

Mounting component 124 can be configured in various manners to suitably attach or mount onto a particular zone through various grooves or other interlocking elements, e.g., the underlying portion of a keystone can have ridges, slots or other interlocking elements to enable positioning within a zone, such as on top of zone 120. In addition to such arrangements, mounting component 124 can be suitably attached or coupled through magnetic devices, e.g., magnetic components can be attached underneath and/or behind keystone or other mounting component, allowing for magnetic coupling to a metal or other magnetic-coupling region of zones 102-120, such as onto a substantially flat surface region of the zones.

Mounting component 124 can comprise various shapes, sizes and configurations for displaying one or more accents or design elements 122. For example, with reference again to FIG. 3, an exemplary mounting component 324 can provide a front surface 324A configured for mounting and/or display of one or more accents or design elements 122. In other embodiments, mounting component can provide a plurality of mounting surfaces for mounting and/or display of one or more accents or design elements 122. Mounting component 124 can also comprise various alloys, woods, composites, or other materials suitably for use proximate to a fireplace.

Accents or design elements 122 can comprise a nearly infinite number of designs for facilitating reconfigurable appearances. For example, the various accents can further comprise finials, pendants or any other like accent or design element. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, FIGS. 3-30 illustrate just a few of the many designs, elements and/or accents that can be suitably implemented. Accents or elements 122 can also comprise various alloys, woods, composites, or other materials suitably for use proximate to a fireplace.

To enable such design accents and elements 122 to be reconfigurable, such elements and accents can suitably be mounted onto an exemplary fireplace 100 through various grooves or other interlocking elements, e.g., accents or elements 122 can have ridges, slots or other interlocking elements to enable positioning within one or more zones 102-120 and/or mounting component 124, such as by similar or mating interlocking components included within such one or more zones 102-120, like the ridges along a fireplace trim. In addition to such interlocking-type arrangements, elements and accents can also be suitably attached or coupled through magnetic devices, e.g., magnetic components can be attached underneath and/or behind any accent or element 122, allowing for magnetic coupling to a metal or other magnetic-coupling region of zones 102-120, such as onto a substantially flat surface region of the zones. Moreover, any combination of interlocking and/or magnetic can also be utilized by accents or elements 122. Still further, other mechanisms or configuration to facilitate reconfigurable coupling of a plurality of accents and elements to a plurality of zone regions can also be realized. However, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, having zones 102-120 comprising substantially flat regions and with accents or elements 122 having magnetic coupling configurations can readily allow for such accents or elements 122 to be placed, moved, repositioned or otherwise swapped along any of zones 102-120, facilitating a highly reconfigurable appearance.

As a result of fireplace system 100 and the one or more zones 102-120 and accents/elements 122, a readily reconfigurable fireplace can be realized that can enable for the appearance to be changed from time to time as desired. For example, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary method for facilitating changes in appearance of a fireplace can comprise the providing of one or more zones 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and/or 120. A fireplace user can suitably have one or more accents or design elements 122 that are readily accessible, e.g., stored when not in use, and then retrieved when ready for use. One or more of accents or design elements 122 can be suitably selected, and then suitably attached, mounted or otherwise displayed on a surface of one or more zones 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and/or 120. In accordance with other exemplary embodiments, one or more mounting components 124, e.g., a keystone 324, can also be suitably mounted or otherwise coupled to any one or more zones 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118 and/or 120, with or without any accents/elements 122 suitably displayed on such mounting components 124. After a period of use with a selected design, one or more accents or design elements 122 can be suitably interchanged, replaced, removed or added to provide a new design appearance for fireplace 100, such as the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3-30, or any other like arrangement. As a result, a user can suitably choose a particular design appearance for fireplace 100, and then if desired, alter or modify that appearance in numerous ways without having to replace the complete fireplace.

The present invention sets forth a draft control system and method that are applicable to various heating system applications. It will be understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments of the invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. Various modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements set forth herein without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, any one or more of the plurality of zones can be utilized any at time, and/or one or more accents or elements can be used, alone or combined, within any such zones. Moreover, the fireplace configuration, size and shape can comprise any arrangement now known or hereinafter devised. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, as set forth within the following claims. 

1. A reconfigurable fireplace for providing changes in appearance, the reconfigurable fireplace comprising: at least three zones configured for facilitating changes in the appearance of the fireplace, each of said at least three zones comprising a display surface; at least one design element configured for removable attachment to said display surface of a selected zone within said at least three zones.
 2. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said fireplace comprises at least one design element mounted to each of said at least three zones.
 3. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 2, wherein each of said design elements is configured for removable mounting and display on each of said at least three zones.
 4. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said fireplace further comprises a mounting component configured for adjustable placement within a selected zone of said at least three zones, and for display of at least one design element.
 5. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said at least one design element is configured for removable attachment to each of said at least three zones through an interlocking arrangement.
 6. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 1, wherein said at least one design element is configured for removable attachment to each of said at least three zones through a magnetic coupling arrangement.
 7. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 4, wherein said mounting component is configured for adjustable placement through at least one of an interlocking arrangement and a magnetic coupling arrangement.
 8. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 7, wherein said mounting component comprises a keystone element.
 9. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 1, wherein each of said display surfaces comprises a substantially flat portion configured for mounting of said at least one design elements.
 10. A method for providing reconfigurable changes in appearance of a fireplace, said method comprising: providing a fireplace having a plurality of zones each configured with a display surface; selecting at least one design element configured for removable attachment to a display surface of a selected zone within said plurality of zones and mounting said selected design element on said selected zone; and removing said selected design element from said selected zone and replacing with another design element configured for removable attachment to said display surface of said selected zone.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said providing a fireplace with a plurality of zones, each said zone having a display surface configured for removable attachment of at least one design element.
 12. The method according to claim 10, wherein selecting at least one design element comprises selection from a plurality of different design elements.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein selecting at least one design element comprises selection from a plurality of design elements, each of said plurality of design elements configured for removable attachment to any of said plurality of zones.
 14. The method according to claim 10, wherein said method comprises selecting a plurality of design elements and removably attaching to separate zones of said plurality of zones.
 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said method comprises selecting at least five design elements and removably attaching to five separate zones of said plurality of zones.
 16. The method according to claim 10, wherein said method further comprises selecting at least one mounting component configured for removable attachment to a selected zone within said plurality of zones, and selecting at least one design element configured for removable attachment to a display surface of said selected mounting component and mounting said selected design element on said selected mounting component.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said method further comprises removing said at least one design element from said selected mounting component and replacing with another design element configured for removable attachment to said display surface of said selected mounting component.
 18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said method further comprises removing said selected mounting component from said selected zone and replacing with another mounting component configured for removable attachment to a selected zone of said plurality of zones.
 19. The method according to claim 14, wherein said method further comprises removing a majority of said plurality of design elements from said plurality of zones and replacing with additional design elements configured for removable attachment to display surfaces of selected zones within said plurality of zones.
 20. A reconfigurable fireplace system for providing changes in appearance to a fireplace, the reconfigurable fireplace system comprising: a plurality of zones configured for facilitating changes in the appearance of the fireplace, each of said plurality of zones comprising a display surface configured for display and removable attachment of a design element; a mounting component configured for adjustable placement within a selected zone of said plurality of zones, and for display and removable attachment of a design element, said mounting component having a display surface; and a plurality of design elements configured for selectively, removable attachment to each said display surface of said plurality of zones and said mounting component such that changes in appearance of said fireplace and substantially increased.
 21. The reconfigurable fireplace according to claim 20, wherein each of said display surfaces comprise a substantially flat portion, and each of said plurality of design elements comprise a magnetic coupling configured for removable attachment to each said substantially flat portion of said display surfaces. 